Hawaii Telemarketing Fraud Laws

Many scams, including telemarketing fraud, take place over the phone. Telemarketing fraud generally occurs when an offender calls a victim and intentionally makes a misrepresentation in order to defraud the victim in some way. Often times the caller tries to obtain the victim’s credit card number or banking information by telling the victim that they have won a prize or that they are eligible to participate in a get rich quick scheme.

Telemarketing fraud is a criminal offense in Hawaii, and is criminalized as part of the state’s effort to protect consumers from unscrupulous practices. The chart below briefly outlines Hawaii’s telemarketing fraud law.

The National Do-Not-Call Registry

One of the best ways to protect yourself from telemarketing fraud is to register your cell and home phone numbers to the National Do-Not-Call Registry. Telemarketers aren’t allowed to call the numbers listed on the registry, so if your number is registered and you receive a call from a telemarketer, then you’ll know that the call was likely placed illegally and may have been made with a fraudulent intent.

Federal Laws that Govern Telemarketing

• The Telephone Sales Rule
• The Telephone Consumer Protection Act
• The Federal Trade Commission Act

Additional Resources

• Hawaii’s Fraud Prevention & Resource Guide
• Fraud

State laws change frequently. For case specific information about Hawaii’s telemarketing fraud laws contact a local consumer protection attorney or criminal defense lawyer.